Review: Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel

The Hotel

They say.. “Once the site of a royal residence, InterContinental London Park Lane is now the epitome of modern elegance. Located between Mayfair and Knightsbridge in view of Buckingham Palace, the hotel is not far from the Tower of London, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. Also worth seeing is the Victoria and Albert Museum, Madame Tussauds and The National Portrait Gallery.”

I say….A modern recently refurbished hotel with an ugly exterior is located near in Hyde Park corner,is it a little to far from most central London attractions without the aid of transport (bus,tube,taxi) but in the local vicinity you have as easy walking access to Piccadilly, Buckingham Palace and Green Park & Hyde Park. A little further you have Bond Street and Fortnums both off Piccadilly and in the other direction Harvey Nicks & Harrods.

For this stay I had a complimentary voucher for a two night stay including lounge access – but as Royal Ambassador I still expected a few extras such as upgrades and recognition!

There is no grand entrance and like some hotels – but reception was efficient and on check-in the manager came out to meet us and welcome us to the hotel, in addition we were offered help with our bags – but having baggage on wheels this help was not needed!

We found concierge was particularly helpful – and if your in the mood for exercise they have maps of Hyde Park with walking/running routes.

The Rooms

There are number of room types, which make it easy for the front desk to offer you your ambassador upgrade – and at the lower levels you don’t get a great deal more – except a better view!

We were booked into Classic room and got an upgrade to a Deluxe room – a two level upgrade – as expected as Royal Ambassadors.

A Deluxe Room

Pictures are of the not overly spacious Deluxe room (well I assume it was that because of the views over Hyde Park).

Classic Room (18 SQM – view of internal courtyard)

Superior Room (22 SQM – Street view)

Deluxe Room (22 SQM – View of over London’s landmarks)

Executive Room (29 SQM – View over London’s parks)

Studio Suite (30-35 SQM)

One Bedroom Suite (40-50SQM)

Plus Larger suites!

By my standards our room was nothing special compared with some of the rooms I’ve stayed in, but it did the job for two nights,with a very comfortable bed! The bathroom was furnished with Elemis products, the shower was part of the bath – but was did have good pressure.

As Royal Ambassador I received some blood orange and some Dutchy Originals in the room and a welcome card along with the mineral water which arrived shortly after we did.

Royal ambassador gift

Being a Royal Ambassador, anything liquid in the mini-bar was free – so I made a good work of that, and it was refilled each day! (Although there is never enough tonic water to work through all the miniatures!)

The mini-bar - all drinks are free to Royal Ambassadors!

Restaurants

The causal Cook Book Cafe with a view of Park lane at road level (not a great view) – and they do a Sunday brunch for £45 which includes unlimited champagne. Random fact, the Cook Book Cafe was once featured in “My Sweet 16!”

The smarter Theo Randall restaurant

We did the Sunday lunch, I wouldn’t say the food was of amazing quality but we had our fill and indeed as advertised the champagne kept on flowing.

The Club Lounge

This has to be one of the best club lounges within all Intercontinental hotels, with views across Hyde Park Corner and beyond to Green Park it. The Club Intercontinental Lounge is located on the 7th floor and the door is manned! The Le Grand Hotel in Paris is also up there – review soon.

To access the club lounge you need to either:

Book a room at Executive Level or higher

Book a room under the club experience rate

Pay to an access fee – this £80+VAT per night. Although it is rumoured that as a Ambassador you might get it for £40+VAT

I would say at £40 it is a no-brainier, at £80 it’s a push but if you’re not going out and about then you might consider it.

What’s on offer:

Breakfast – much better than a standard continental affair with table service for coffee/tea and hot breakfast.

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